How the Northern Rivers Astronomy Society Began

The Northern Rivers Astronomy Society (NRAS) officially started in January 2025, but the real story began a little earlier.

When I (Joel Cooper) moved to the Northern Rivers in 2023, I noticed there wasn’t an astronomy club or society nearby. As someone who has always loved the night sky, I wanted to meet others who shared the same passion for stargazing and exploring the universe.

About a year later, I met Rob Wilson, another passionate astronomer who shared the same enthusiasm for the stars. We quickly became good friends through our shared interest in astronomy and plenty of nights spent talking about space, telescopes, and everything in between.

After a few chats, we thought, why not start something ourselves? Maybe there were others who loved the stars as much as we did. It turned out there were!

After long days, late nights, and plenty of planning, we officially created the Northern Rivers Astronomy Society—a place where people of all ages and experience levels can come together, learn, share, and enjoy the wonders of the night sky.

Today, NRAS is more than just a club—it’s a community built on curiosity, friendship, and the simple joy of looking up. Whether you’re an experienced observer or just getting started, you’re always welcome to join us under the stars.